Para, Para, Paradise: Puerto Vallarta Vacay 2012.

It had been approximately 3 years since my last real vacation.  Don't get me wrong... I've traveled the past few years, but all those trips have been visits to see my family, friends, weddings, etc. It had been far too long since I went somewhere with the sole purpose of getting away.  Relaxing. Exploring somewhere new.  Fortunately, my roomie McKenzie was having the same craving for a long-overdue vacay, so after a little Googling, we booked a one-week stay at a gorgeous all-inclusive resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico... and it was paradise. 

I could barely contain my excitement as I counted down the days to our tropical getaway.  When it finally arrived and we made our way south of the border, it was even better than I had eagerly anticipated.  We stayed at the gorgeous Hotel Barceló (two thumbs way up) where we enjoyed a gorgeous room and balcony overlooking the beach and (amazing!) pools.  When we weren't participating in fun organized activities (like beach volleyball or a football throwing contest that McKenz dominated) or reading/tanning/drinking by the pool, we explored the beautiful city. We played with the cutest dolphin ever named Gandalf (cross that off my bucket list), toured a tequila distillery (which included many delish samples... holla), made friends with the oh-so-nice hotel staff and fellow vacationers, got massages, and took an awesome adventure canopy tour that included riding up a mountain on mules, ziplining through the rain forest, and repelling down a waterfall. I had no idea how beautiful and lush and rain-foresty Puerto Vallarta was! It really reminded me of Costa Rica and I looooved it. :-) 

McKenz had the brilliant idea to film all our fun adventures and has compiled them into this wonderful highlight video.   While there is much more great footage that didn't make the cut, this definitely gives a legit overview (and makes me want to go back and do it all over again so badly).  Check it outtt... :-)

Viva Mexico! from McKenzie Morris on Vimeo.



As you can see, we had quite a blast. It was so good to just take a complete BREAK from the real world... and so hard to come back! I wish I could just rewind and relive that week again and again. Ha. But since I can't, I'll go ahead and start looking forward to the next vacay (and live vicariously through the highlights vid.). ;-) 

xoxo, 

Annie.